Turkish football suspended due to brutal attack on referee

The Turkish league and other domestic championships have been suspended “indefinitely” due to an attack on international referee Halil Umut Meler by the president and people associated with Ankaragucu, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) said on Monday.

“By decision of the TFF Board of Directors, the games of all championships have been postponed indefinitely,” says a small note from the organization on a black background.

This Monday, in a Turkish league match, Ankaragucu President Faruk Koca, after a draw with Rizespor (1:1), entered the field after the final whistle of Umut Meler and hit the UEFA and FIFA referee, who fell and continued to lie. kicked in the face and head by elements associated with the same club.

On the ground, several people, including players, assistant referees and coaches, quickly created a circle of security to prevent further attacks on the 37-year-old referee.

Umut Mehler was taken to hospital for medical treatment and will spend the night in the ward due to the possibility of internal injuries, both to the brain and to the abdominal area.

In a conversation with Turkish media, President Ankaragucu said that he did not remember this incident.

“I feel like my brain has gone crazy and I can’t see anymore. I’m blind. I don’t remember what I did. I don’t remember,” Farouk Koca said.

Meanwhile, on social media, the Turkish President condemned the attack on Halil Umut Meler and promised to be tough in the fight against violence in sports.

“Sport is peace and friendship. Sport is the antithesis of violence. We will never allow violence to happen in Turkish sports,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in the publication.

Umut Meler has featured for Benfica and Sporting Braga in the Champions League this year, as well as Bosnia and Portugal in Euro 2024 qualifying.